A hope to cure government corruption: 2016 elections

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2016- America has a festering problem that is rapidly growing. The core of this problem is not the symptom of racial tension or problems in the Middle East or decline of moral standards. Instead, the problem consists of two parts: corruption in the American government and the lack of accountability for that corruption.

Hillary Clinton evades the truth, even when questioned under oath. Her neglect in handling sensitive material and her disregard of the security of this nation have cast doubt on her trustworthiness.

FBI director James Coney testified before Congress that Clinton was “extremely careless” with her emails. He also confirmed that many of her statements about her actions were false. Still, Clinton insists, “Director Comey said my answers were truthful, and what I’ve said is consistent with what I have told the American people…”

President Obama has far exceeded his power as a leader. He had issued executive orders that push the limits of executive power outlined in the Constitution. He has been excessive in the spending of taxpayer money for personal and family vacations. His blatant lies concerning the success of the war on ISIS have put the lives of American servicemen, as well as the entire country, in harm’s way.

He shows favoritism to foreign countries known for their support of terrorism. His willingness to supply them with money that can be used to further terrorism and develop weapons that can destroy America can be seen as treasonous.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch is under scrutiny for her decisions concerning Clinton’s actions. She brought that scrutiny on herself, after blocking an investigation into the Clinton Foundation in spite of reports to the FBI about “suspicious activity.” Lynch then privately met with Bill Clinton only days before the Justice Department was scheduled to decide whether to indict Hillary Clinton regarding her email server, further raising questions about her actions.

In a letter questioning the basis for her Lynch’s decisions on these matters, Texas Sen. John Cornyn told Lynch, “This kind of conduct is unacceptable, and reflects the worst concerns harbored by the public about the abuse of government office to benefit the powerful at the expense of the American people.”

Citizens are angry at the lack of impartiality of justice and who should or shouldn’t be above the law. An ordinary citizen can be prosecuted for shoplifting. Yet someone holding a title in government escapes being charged with putting this nation at risk while flagrantly disregarding the sensitivity of material being put on the internet.

People want to know where, in law, the line is drawn. Where does it state that a crime such as selling tobacco to a minor is more severe than breaching one’s office? Where is it written in the Constitution that federal government officials shall not be held accountable for their deeds?

The three branches of government were established to act as checks and balances to ensure that all levels operate within their legal boundaries. Each official in each level takes a solemn oath to uphold his or her position and carry out his or her duties according to the Constitution.

Unfortunately, this system has proven fallible. Citizens are wondering why no one is being held accountable for the wrong being done by high ranking government officials. They are seeing a government that shows a lack of responsibility, an abundance of dishonesty, and disregard for the very people who put them in office.

There is a cure for the festering problem that plagues this nation, a cure that has become more obvious with each new show of inadequacies in our capital. Each time a new injustice surfaces, more Americans realize the need for a breath of fresh air.

Thankfully, there is an election approaching that will enable that fresh air to help America breathe again, with a change of new hope.

“There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction” — John F. Kennedy.